An expanded obituary project of
MennObits. Includes additional information of obituaries
appearing in
The Mennonite and other newspapers. Source of
individual obituaries given with each record. Project managed by
Thelma Martin.
2025
I to K
Johnson, William Claude "Bill"
April 14, 1933 - March 8, 2025
William "Bill" Claude Johnson, 91, of Goshen, formerly of Middlebury, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 5:00 am on Saturday, March 8, [2025] at The Restoracy Of Goshen. He was born on April 14, 1933, in Benton Harbor, MI, to Theron and Lizabelle (Holle) Johnson. On July 31, 1954, in Goshen, he married Carol Vincent, she survives.
Survivors in addition to his wife are a daughter, Denise Johnson of Goshen; two sons, Rodney Eugene (Katie) Johnson of Aurora, NE, Devon Allen (Ruby) Johnson of Roanoke, VA; seven grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and a brother, Theron "Ted" James (Sharon) Johnson of Goshen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dennis "D.J." Johnson.
Bill had worked for Massey Ferguson until retiring after 25 years. He then worked for Gulfstream RVs for 10 years and had also made deliveries for Riegsecker Market Place for 14 years. He was a member of First Mennonite Church in Middlebury where he volunteered as a church trustee. He was very active at the Elkhart County 4H Fair and served as a leader and on the fair board for several years. He had served in the US Army for three years, where he was enlisted as a non-combatant and was assigned to do food inspection.
Visitation will be from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 pm Tuesday, March 11, at Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, 1003 South Main Street Middlebury. There will also be one hour of visitation prior to the 10:00 am funeral service on Wednesday, March 12, at First Mennonite Church, 203 E Lawrence St. Middlebury. Services will be conducted by Pastors Phil Yoder and Tim Eash. Burial will be in Grace Lawn Cemetery, Middlebury. Memorials may be given to First Mennonite Church.
Kanagy, Martha Ann
November 11, 1927 - February 6, 2025
Martha Ann Kanagy (97) passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025, in Orrville, Ohio. She was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 11, 1927, to Willis M. and Miltilda (Umble) Kanagy. She graduated from Hesston College and Goshen College with a master’s degree in education. Martha Ann spent her teaching career in Puerto Rico, Texas, Iowa, and Ohio.
Martha Ann was fiercely independent and loved international travel, particularly to Spanish-speaking countries. She taught for a number of years at the Academia Menonita Betania in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, where she learned to love the Spanish culture. She was fluent in the Spanish language and taught Spanish classes in both formal and private settings. She took Central Christian School Mini-Term classes to Mexico, where they were exposed to conversational Spanish and cultural experiences. Martha Ann also taught classes in the sciences at Central Christian School and concluded her teaching career at Marshallville Elementary School. In retirement, she volunteered with the Open Arms Ministry and treasured spending time with her grandchildren.
Many years Martha Ann played violin in the Orrville Community Messiah Orchestra, where she later had the opportunity to play with her daughter. She enjoyed theater, concerts, and attending Mennonite World Conferences. She also enthusiastically planted and processed produce from her garden, eagerly fed the birds in her backyard feeders, and thereby reluctantly the squirrels.
Martha Ann was a very giving person, often sponsoring children at Holt International Children Services, anonymously contributing toward higher education assistance, and generously hosting international students in her home.
Martha Ann enthusiastically took on challenges and ventured into the world of motherhood when she adopted Stacy, who was then ten years old. Stacy is forever grateful and blessed for the love and many opportunities Martha Ann provided her.
She was the oldest member of Kidron Mennonite Church, where she was active in previous years. Martha Ann is survived by her daughter, Stacy (Steven) Nussbaum; grandchildren Melissa and Daniel; and her brother Allen (Bernelle) Kanagy. She was preceded in death by her brother Paul (Dorothy) Kanagy, and sister Barbara (Dean) Miller.
Closed casket visitation hours will be Saturday, February 15, from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Kidron Mennonite Church. A private burial will follow.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Accord Care Community in Orrville and LifeCare Hospice of Wooster for the compassionate care they provided to Martha Ann, and to Spidell Funeral Home for their services.
Kauffman, Anna L. Stutzman
May 28, 1935 - February 23, 2025
ANNA L. KAUFFMAN, 89, of Arthur, Illinois passed away at 5:00 A.M. on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at her residence.
Visitation will be held any time after 2:00 P.M. on Monday, February 24, 2025, and any time after 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, all at the HCK West Building 1 mile south of Arthur, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the HCK West Building. Bishop Larry Diener will officiate.
Burial will be in the Yoder Cemetery in rural Arthur, Illinois. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Anna was born on May 28, 1935, at home in Arthur, Illinois, Lowe TWP, Moultrie County, a daughter of Levi J. and Amanda (Graber) Stutzman. She married Eli G. Kauffman on November 15, 1956, in rural Arcola, Illinois. He passed away on May 1, 1989.
Anna is survived by three children, Eldon Ray Kauffman and his wife Rosa of Arthur IL, Lorene Kauffman of Arthur IL and Kenneth Lynn Kauffman and his wife Wilma of Ligonier IN, 10 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Monroe Herschberger and his wife Verna of Sullivan IL, and a sister-in-law, Lucy Stutzman of Sullivan IL.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Levi and Amanda Stutzman, her husband Eli G. Kauffman, and four siblings, Martha Yoder and her husband Edwin, Calvin Stutzman who died in infancy, Mary Herschberger, and Floyd Stutzman.
Anna was a great cook. She had worked at the Dutch Oven Bakery in Arthur, and after her husband Eli passed away, she and her daughter, Lorene would host banquets in their home in rural Arthur, Illinois. Anna was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Kauffman, Elroy Wayne
September 3, 1932 - March 4, 2025
Elroy Wayne Kauffman, 92, a resident of Harrisonburg, passed away March 4, 2025 at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.
Elroy was born September 3, 1932 in Clackamas County, Oregon, the first child of the late Fred Sylvanus and Ruth Miller Kauffman. The family moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, where they lived until moving to Harrisonburg so the children could attend Eastern Mennonite School. It was there that he met his future wife, Miriam Lucille Kuhns, who preceded him in death in 2023.
A conscientious objector, he worked for two years in 1-W alternative service at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Following his term of service, he and Miriam were married on December 24, 1954 and raised three sons, E. Wayne Kauffman II (Karen) of Dayton, Virginia, James Kauffman (Ardith) of Harrisonburg, and Kenneth Kauffman of Trenton, New Jersey. He is also survived by sisters Eunice (Ernie) Kraybill and Leanna (Paul) Beiler, and brothers Lowell (Phyllis), Lyle (Rhoda), Glenn (Mary), and sister-in-law Sandy Kauffman, five grandchildren, and 21 nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his youngest brother Dale, of Goshen, Indiana, and niece Tasha Kauffman of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Kauffman worked in several different capacities in the business office of Eastern Mennonite College in the 1960s-80s, and later as a bookkeeper for the Virginia Mennonite Conference. He served on the boards of Gemeinschaft Home, The Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center, and Park View Federal Credit Union. In retirement he and Miriam enjoyed travelling via car or train, watching college basketball, and the availability of “A Christmas Story” throughout the holidays. His interest in photography was rekindled as a volunteer at Gift & Thrift, where he cleaned, tested, and appraised cameras for resale.
His varied hobbies included stone masonry, stamp and coin collecting, genealogy, refinishing reed organs and other antique furniture, and amateur (“ham”) radio under the call sign K4EJG. A fine musician, he enjoyed singing choral masterpieces with the Shenandoah Valley Choral Society, and sang for many church services as a member of the Lindale Octet, with Miriam and three other couples. His collection of recordings ranged from the motets of Heinrich Schütz to the shenanigans of P.D.Q. Bach and the electronic compositions of Wendy Carlos.
He had a love for unusual and innovative automobiles, and over the years owned an Edsel, Simca, Renault, Rover 2000 TC, Volvo P1800, and several Saabs. This often required carrying a box of spare parts in the trunk, much to Miriam’s amusement.
The family expresses gratitude and appreciation to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community for the care and camaraderie Elroy and Miriam experienced there.
A memorial service will be held at Lindale Mennonite Church on March 21. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center, Harrisonburg.
McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kauffman, Lizzie Ann Miller Kauffman
September 25, 1944 - March 3, 2025
Lizzie Ann Kauffman, 80, of Arcola, Illinois passed away at 12:20 PM on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Penn Station, 122 East Progress Street, Arthur, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Atwood, 231 North Illinois Street, Atwood, Illinois. Rev. Lanny Faulkner will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bourbon Cemetery. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Lizzie was born on September 25, 1944 in Arthur, Illinois. She was a daughter of Joe and Fannie Miller. They were killed in a car accident in 1946 and Lizzie was then adopted by Alvin and Martha (Graber) Kauffman. She married Floyd G. Kauffman on April 9, 1964 in Arcola, Illinois. He passed away on October 31, 2021.
She is survived by six children, Duane Kauffman and his wife Valerie of Oakland IL, Karen Johns and her husband Sean of Bulverde TX, Irvin Kauffman and his wife Terri of Tuscola IL, Elvin Kauffman of Arcola IL, Floyd Kauffman and his wife Amy of Arthur IL and David Kauffman of Charleston IL, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, one sister, Edna Humes of Arthur IL and one brother, Andy Miller and his wife Anna of Lebanon MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, siblings, Reuben Miller, Perry Miller, Alvie Miller, Alvin Chupp, Menno Chupp and Ervin Kauffman.
Lizzie was a member of the First Baptist Church at Atwood, Illinois.
Prior to accepting a position at Masterbrand Cabinets, Lizzie cleaned and took care of elderly friends in their homes for many years. In 1985 she accepted a position at Masterbrand and retired with over 20 years of service.
Lizzie enjoyed genealogy, bird watching, visiting with friends and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Kauffman, Lydia Ann Troyer
March 25, 1941 - March 4, 2025
Lydia Ann Kauffman, 83, of Shipshewana (district: 41), died at 10:50 pm on Tuesday, March 4, [2025] at her residence. She was born on March 25, 1941, in LaGrange County, IN, to Crist and Susie (Yoder) Troyer. On March 5, 1966, she married Sam M. Kauffman, he survives.
Survivors in addition to her husband are three sons, Lavern (Clara) Kauffman of Constantine, MI, Dale (Ocie) Kauffman of Howe, Richard (Vonda) Kauffman of LaGrange; three daughters, Marietta (Ernie) Helmuth of Millersburg, Niva (Dennis) Helmuth of Topeka, Kristine (Darin) Stutzman of Shipshewana; special family friends, Lloyd (Lena) Yoder of Goshen; 29 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mary (Dan) Schrock of Shipshewana, Fannie Troyer of Sarasota, FL, Amanda (John) Miller of Fort Wayne; three sisters-in-law, Mary Troyer of Shipshewana, Viola Troyer of Middlebury, Ruby Troyer of Shipshewana.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Daryl Kauffman; brothers, Andy, Eli and Levi Troyer; sister, Katie Troyer.
Lydia Ann was a homemaker and member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Visitation will be after 2:00 pm on Thursday March 6, and all-day Friday, March 7, at the family's residence, 1790 N. 850 W. Shipshewana. Funeral services will be at 9:30 am on Saturday, March 8, also at the family's residence. Services will be conducted by Bishop Matt Schlabach and the home ministers. Burial will be in East Barren Cemetery, Shipshewana. Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, is handling the arrangements.
Kennel, Ronald L.
March 5, 1943 - February 3, 2025
Ronald L. Kennel, 81, of Goshen died Monday, February 3, 2025 at Goshen Hospital.
He was born March 5, 1943 to Lester and Lola (Stauffer) Kennel on their farm near Strang, Nebraska. They preceded him in death.
At age 11, Ron accepted Christ and was baptized into Salem Mennonite Church, Shickley, Nebraska and is where he began to sense a call to pastoral ministry.
He began elementary school in a rural one-room school and then attended Shickley Public School where he graduated in 1960. He continued his education at Hesston College and on to Goshen College where he graduated in 1964.
On August 23, 1964 he married Judy Kauffman. Their home was blessed by two children, Steven and Anne.
At Hesston and Goshen College, his childhood sense of call to pastoral ministry was reawakened and nurtured. He was led to enroll at Goshen Biblical Seminary (now AMBS) where he graduated in 1967. He was ordained to pastoral ministry, November 19, 1967.
Ron served as assistant pastor of North Goshen Mennonite Church, 1965-67, pastor of Wellman (IA) Mennonite Church 1967-80; 1981-87; moderator, Iowa-Nebraska Mennonite Conference 1982-85, chaplain at Oaklawn Hospital, 1988-89, pastor at Clinton Brick Mennonite Church, 1990-2007; overseer/congregational coach at Benton Mennonite Church since 1995, and volunteer pastor at College Mennonite Church since 2015.
Ron is survived by his wife Judy; son, Steven (Christine) Kennel of Youngstown, Ohio; daughter, Anne Arp of Venice, Florida; and granddaughters, Alyssa Kennel and Elle Arp.
He is also survived by a brother, Cecil (Sharon) Kennel of Strang, Nebraska; a sister, Debra (Mike) Jaberg of Kalona, Iowa; nephew, Doug (Serena) Kennel; nieces, Angie (Steve) Nitzsche and Kristine (Travis) Kliewer; and great-nieces and nephews, Corban Gibson, Harleigh Gibson, Hunter Gibson, Kristopher Nitzsche, Benjamin Nitzsche and Lara Kliewer.
Visitation will be Friday, February 7, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. memorial service Saturday, February 8, at College Mennonite Church.
Memorial gifts in Ron’s honor are encouraged for the College Mennonite Church Encircling Fund.
Kropf, Jerry Gene
September 29, 1971 — January 6, 2025
Jerry Gene Kropf, 53, of Hotchkiss, Colorado passed away at his home, on January 6, 2025, of unknown medical complications.
Jerry was born in Morrison, Illinois, on September 29, 1971, to Marion and Dorothy Kropf who faithfully cared for him his entire life.
Jerry was born a special needs child with Autism and a seizure disorder requiring lots of care and attention in his younger years.
In 1998 Jerry moved from Arkansas to Colorado with his family where he resided at the time of his death.
Jerry is survived by his parents, Marion and Dorothy; brothers, Jason and Clair of the home, Leon and wife Rose of Berryville, AR, Conrad and wife Krista of Crawford, CO; sisters, Karlene and husband Marlin of Milford NE, Amy and husband James of Parsons KS, Ruby and husband Trennis of Itasca, TX, Rita and husband Darian of Plymouth, NC. He was preceded in death by 1 niece, Tiffany; 2 great nephews, Kyler and Kylan; Paternal Grandparents, Amos and Alice Kropf; and Maternal Grandparents Levi and Fern Hostetler.
Kuhns, Mariah Faith
February 28, 2025 - February 28, 2025
MARIAH FAITH KUHNS, was born at 6:13 A.M. and passed away at 10:19 A.M. on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Illinois.
She is survived by her parents, Lavon and Tina (Hochstetler) Kuhns, and sisters Alyah Kate, and Adalyn Grace of Atwood IL; grandparents, Alvin and Marilyn Kuhns of Bremen IN and Bob and Linda Hochstetler of Arcola IL; great-grandparents, Lydia Ann Kuhns of Nappanee IN and Samuel Kaufman of Bremen IN, and Adlia and Irene Gingerich of Arcola IL. Also surviving are six uncles, eight aunts, and twenty-two cousins.
Mariah was preceded in death by great-grandfather, Edwin Kuhns; great-grandmother, Miriam Kaufman; great-grandparents, Levi and Mary Hochstetler, and twin cousins Ezekiel and Elijah Bontrager.
Visitation was held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and the funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at the Ervin and Lorita Yoder Residence 752 North County Road 60 East, in rural Arthur IL. Bishop Nelson Diener officiated. Burial was in the Bear Creek Cemetery in rural Tuscola IL. The Edwards Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Kuhns, Rachel C. Troyer
March 31, 1938 - March 12, 2025
Rachel C. Kuhns, age 86 of Bremen, passed away at 1:40 pm, Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at her residence after an extended illness. She was born March 31, 1938 in Nappanee to Christ J. and Lizzie (Hochstetler) Troyer. Rachel lived her lifetime in the Nappanee/Bremen area. On October 12, 1961, she married Noah A. Kuhns in Nappanee. He preceded in death December 14, 2024. Rachel was a homemaker and a member of the Old Order Amish Church.
Surviving are her children, Albert (Mary) Kuhns, Shipshewana, Manass N. (Mary Lou) Kuhns, Nappanee, Susie N. Kuhns, Bremen, Mattie N. (David) Gingerich, Leonidas, MI, Sarah N. Kuhns, Bremen, Miriam (Leonard) Bontrager, Plymouth, Enos N. (Mattie) Kuhns, Bremen; 23 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; Siblings, Ella Kuhns, Nappanee, Lillie (Warren) Fussner, Stockport, OH; John (Mahala) Troyer, Nappanee; brothers-in-law, Joni Petersheim, Mt. Victory, OH, Eddie Borntrager, Stanberry, MO, Toby Kuhns, Fremont, MI; and sisters-in-law, Mary Kuhns, Fremont, MI, Sovilla Kuhns, Leonidas, MI, Katie Kuhns, Topeka, IN, and Miriam Troyer, Alburtus, PA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 grandchildren; and sisters, Sarah Lambright, Susie Petersheim, Mary Gingerich, Lizzie Borntrager, Fannie Troyer, and Annie Borntrager.
Family and friends may call after 2 pm. Thursday, March 13, 2025 and all day Friday, March 14th at the family residence, 4279 Beech Road, Bremen. Funeral Services will begin at 9:30 am, Saturday, March 15th also at the family residence. Bishop Lisle Slabaugh and Home Ministry of the Old Order Amish Church will officiate and burial will be in Cedar Road Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.
Kurtz, Aaron S.
September 1, 1938 - February 13, 2025
Aaron S. Kurtz, 86, passed peacefully into Heaven on Thursday, February 13, 2025. A resident of Fairmount Homes, he was formerly of New Holland. Born on Sept. 1, 1938, he was the son of the late Aaron H. and Edna B. Kurtz. He was the beloved husband of Janet Landis Kurtz with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.
Aaron was a man of integrity in all his associations. He was known for his faith in God, his positive attitude, his trustworthiness, his sense of humor, his genuine interest in people, his humility, and his business sense. Above all, he was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather.
Aarons business career began with an interest in the family hatchery. Favorite Nest Works became Favorite Manufacturing Company where he served in various capacities from 1954-1985, serving as president of the company for its last ten years. From 1986-2007 he served as president of Ludwig Office Furniture in New Holland.
Other areas of involvement included Blue Ball National Bank Board of Directors (25 years), Community Bank Board of Directors (2 years), Morgan Corporation Board of Directors (8 years), Eastern Lancaster County School Board (22 years), and Lancaster County Vo-Tech Board (4 years). He was also a faithful member of Calvary Church.
Aaron enjoyed hunting and fishing, cooking, and spending time with his family.
Surviving besides his wife are two children: Lara (Justin) Blocksom, and David (Jessica) Kurtz; four grandchildren, Ryan Blocksom, Benjamin Blocksom, Madilyn Kurtz, and Cooper Kurtz; three siblings, Vera S. Kurtz, Willis S. (Ann) Kurtz, and Edna S. (Glenn) Shonk. He is predeceased by four siblings: John (Louella) Kurtz, Norman Kurtz, Elva (David) Zeiset, and Jane (Melvin) Nolt.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing at Fairmount Homes Wheat Ridge Chapel on Thursday, Feb 20, from 4-7 PM and on Friday, Feb. 21 at 9:00 AM followed by a brief memorial service at 10:00 AM. There will be a private family burial in the Mellinger Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Global Ministries, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Groff-High Funeral Home, Inc., of New Holland.
Kurtz, Paul Stoltzfus
April 29, 1930 - March 12, 2025
Paul Stoltzfus Kurtz passed away on March 12, 2025, at Fairmount Homes at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife Lydia (Sensenig), children Paulson (Shirley), Pearl (Eric Bruker), Phillip, and Phyllis (Eric Ulrey), as well as seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother John of Snow Hill, MD, sister Caroline Plank of Bremen, OH, and brother Calvin (Esther Mae) of Elverson, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents C.J. and Elsie Kurtz, brother Elam (Orpah), sister Lena Carpenter (Sidney), and brother Chester (Catherine).
He was born on April 29, 1930, in Elverson, PA on a dairy farm. He attended Lancaster Mennonite School where he met his wife of 74 years and graduated in the class of 1947. He got his bachelor's from Albright College in Reading, his master's from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, and his Ph.D. in psychology from West Virginia University. He was a psychology professor at Central Michigan University in Mt Pleasant, MI, a psychologist at the Mt Pleasant State Home and Training School, and administrator at a home for severely and profoundly handi-capped children, the Hattie Larlham Foundation in Mantua, OH.
He and Lydia retired at Elizabethtown, PA where they attended Elizabethtown Mennonite Church. They later moved to Fairmount Homes in Ephrata, PA and attended Hinkletown Mennonite Church, the church where they were married. After his father passed, Paul got "bitten by the genealogy bug" and joined Amish and other groups in the task of restoring the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead, which was scheduled to be demolished.
A memorial service will be held at Hinkletown Mennonite Church, 2031 Division Highway, Ephrata PA 17522, on April 5 with visitation at 10:00 and the service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead Preservation Committee (NSHPC) at 1700 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, PA, 19610.
Groff High Funeral Home in New Holland is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.